Friday Linkfest!

Turning most of our focus over to fashion week coverage we have a few great articles for your viewing pleasure this week.

Fashion Week Coverage

Business of Fashion contends that "celebrity haute couture" will be the new standard after this fashion week. In addition, they have some great coverage of Gucci's new flagship store in NYC.

My Fashion life has coverage of the following collections, Arthur Mendonica, Naeem Kahn, American Express w/ Peter Som, Malan Breton, Karen Walker, Iodice, Rag and Bone, and our favorite, Gap's new look.

Styledash had coverage of Lacoste, Rock and Republic, Nautica, and Project Runway's Viktorya Hong.

A Response to Louis Vuitton Makes the Right Move

I agree with Jeanna's comments, Louis Vuitton's new designs don't remotely resemble Gucci. It's just their signature Damier canvas in a new palette, like the Damier Azur collection. It doesn't represent real innovation as much as the artificial construction of something new for Louis Vuitton to sell without putting much thought into design and much investment into production, something at which they have become astoundingly good. Time will tell if it achieves the same level of success as the Azur line.

In any case, where will LVMH and rival Gucci Group stand in the face of the changing economy? LVMH has a completely diversified portfolio covering both the high- and low-end, and while many luxury houses across the board are indeed starting to feel the crunch, both the Gucci Group and LVMH have the resources to stick it out. It's true that LVMH does 25.6% of their business is the ailing US market, but Gucci Group itself finds 19.3% of their market here as well, and still Gucci Group is expected to ride high on the continued success of their Bottega Veneta revival. Gucci Group shows that it's possible to survive as a luxury player in the US market, but it requires the right brand with the right product.

What exactly is the right product for LVMH? It's not entirely clear yet. I don't think that this supposedly "freshening up" of the Damier canvas is as remotely important to LVMH as the Richard Prince collaboration for Louis Vuitton, which has received multiple times the publicity thanks to an expensive ad campaign and flashy fashion shows highlighting the collection. LVMH is hoping for a home run along the lines of the Takashi Murakami collaboration that is still making money for them (see the Louis Vuitton boutique that opened in MOCA's Murakami retrospective). In terms of actual innovation and possible financial success, LVMH is placing its bets on that artist collaboration more than the safe bet that the new Damier canvas is sure to be. Both Gucci Group and LVMH are rapidly expanding in India and China with very promising results, instilling brand recognition in countries with low luxury-brand recognition with their logo-laden products and splashy publicity machines like the Richard Prince line. It is a necessary part of their strategies to get the new consumer wanting their products. Even if the US market proves difficult for LVMH, there's no doubt that LVMH will find new markets for their high-margin canvas goods. It's mostly a matter of how rapidly they can replace the failing sectors of the US and Japanese markets with new emerging ones. Any future success in the US and Japanese markets relies on their higher-profile collections, but they certainly don't have as much to worry about as any of the independent fashion houses that don't have the portfolios to stay afloat when the going gets tough. LVMH's success in the short-term evidently relies more on the Prince collaboration and the brand awareness it can build more than anything else right now. I'm anxious to see if that is indeed the "right" product to keep the conglomerate going.

Louis Vuitton Makes The Right Move

As we've said before, we're not advocates of brands that base their design solely on one repetitive logo (*cough* Coach). It just gets old. Why then that have we not been critical of Louis Vuitton, who's been whoring-out its logo all over its handbag line?

Well first, Louis Vuitton has some history to fall back on. They invented soft luggage, which makes their bags a perennial object of desire no matter what may be en vogue at the moment. This history is kind of like fashion insurance - there will always be some LV faithful who buy their product. Still, Louis Vuitton could use some freshening up for their bag line. They've just answered our prayers and delivered the perfect punch: grey and black.

This is just the kind of innovation and differentiation that sets Louis Vuitton apart from the rest. Right when you think their bread and butter designs are getting dated, they swoop in with something fresh, stately, and unique. Actually, from a distance the design resembles some Gucci pieces, but the color is unmistakably non-Gucci, so that puts our gripe to rest.

Click on over to Fresh Mess for the rest of the photos.

Trendspotting: Shopping bags - A new fashion?

This winter shopping season, you may have noticed the impressive quantity of strongly-branded shopping bags around the city. It is not suprising that with a potential retail squeeze coming after the new year, that retailers are jockeying for high sales figures during the holidays.

The New York Times had a very interesting article about these shopping bags and the idea behind this trend.

A team of designers at Saks Fifth Avenue envisioned “a piece of modern art” and hired a renowned graphic artist to create it. Their counterparts at Lord & Taylor demanded five prototypes, even traveling to a Korean factory to oversee manufacturing.

Bags designed by David Lipman. Lord & Taylor pays 80 cents for each.

Over at Bergdorf Goodman, staff members held secretive deliberations that stretched late into the night for nine months.

The focus of all this scurrying was not this fall’s couture line or next spring’s resort collection.

It was shopping bags.

Once a flimsy afterthought in American retailing — used to lug a purchase home from the store, then tossed into the trash — the lowly, free store bag is undergoing a luxurious makeover.

From upscale emporiums to midprice chains, retailers are engaged in a heated competition to make the most durable, fashionable shopping bags. They are investing millions of dollars in new flourishes like plastic-coated paper (Macy’s and Juicy Couture) and heavy fabric cord handles (Abercrombie & Fitch and Scoop).

-NYT, Never Mind What’s in Them, Bags Are the Fashion (Full Article)

We thought that the shopping bags were a great momentum indicator into the holidays by simply walking down the street. We also noted that some retailers such as Nordstrom have been providing their customers with quality shopping bags for years!

Capital Allocation: Business of Fasion

The Business of Fashion blog features a great series this week on basic spending guidelines for the fashion industry to ensure success. This is a must read for anyone interested in doing any business in the sector.

The Business of Fashion Basics 4 - How do I decide where to allocate my capital?

So you've done it. You've cobbled together some financing from family and friends or squeezed a loan out of your bank manager. If you're a little farther along, perhaps you have managed to raise an injection of capital that will help take your business to the next level. The question is, now what to do with your funding? And, how do you make it last? - Business of Fashion

I will be in New York this week for interviews, however please stay posted for more updates over the next week!


Speaking of which, the Sartorialist had a small article on the styles of Grey's and Blues in New York worth checking out. Those of you looking to play outside in this colder weather might also want to refer to I Like Her Style's article on Winter Parkas.

In case anyone was wondering what the newest Men's winter jacket trends are, Stil in Berlin has a look into what people are wearing on the streets of northern Germany.

In The Spotlight: Aritzia

Hailing from Vancouver, Aritzia boasts an impressively trendy boutique concept with stores all over Canada and 2 in the US. From staple brands like Citizens of Humanity and Juicy Couture to in-house designers like Talula Babaton, Aritzia seems to have the perfect combinations to put together some hot, stylish outfits. Not only are the clothes fashion-forward, but the boutiques also resemble trendy European styles such as artistic lighting and decor.

Currently the two stores in the U.S. are in Bellevue, Washington and San Jose, CA- with plans to expand further into the American market. I think their distinguished style and great taste makes them a perfect candidate for the growing interest in upscale brands state-side.

Stay tuned for more to come on this up-and-coming brand's entry into the US market.

More information can be found here:

Aritzia Boutique Launches in Bellevue Square Nov 17th - East Side Business Journal
Aritzia hopes designer jeans will fly in U.S. -Financial Post

Oil Barrels: Ultimate In Chic?

Luxist just posted a hilarious piece of jewelry designed to appeal to the Dallas-Fort Worth oilman set:


Apparently, "each barrel is engraved on the bottom with the date it was made and the cost of a barrel of crude oil on that day." That way, some day you will have a memento of how cheap oil used to be.

Click through to Luxist for the article and photos of the other pieces.

Ugg Boots Featured on Oprah's Gift List

Uggs, made by Decker Outdoors (NASDAQ: DECK) has had their classic crochet tall boot put on Oprah's list of 20 must-have gifts for the holiday season.

"I bet every truly dedicated Oprah watcher knows what my feet cannot live without," says Oprah, referring to the iconic and comfy Australian boots.

Now, for all of us who have seen Uggs' meteoric rise and are waiting for Icarus' wax to melt and the fad to end, this stands as one more holiday season that will see us wrong. I'm sure it will happen some day...Uggs are destined to end up in the bargain bin at Kohl's (NYSE: KSS). However, if they keep innovating ways to sell their wares to middle America like this subtle design change, their comfy-ness will stay in style (in the less-style-inclined suburbs, at least).

Trendspotting: Cat Eye Eye Liner

According to Fashion Addict Diary, cat eyes are the new cool look to create with your eyeliner:

We've been trying to do the perfect "rebellious eyeliner with a little 50's twist" look a la Sasha P in the Prada ad and it just comes out amatuer on us. Pat McGrath makes it look so easy but it's really not. It's almost easier to just buy the stupid Prada bag she's advertising than paint the cat eye. It's really frustrating but we'll keep trying.

Here's the Pat McGrath liquid eyeliner tutorial:

Homeless man inspirres new brand

The NYT had an interesting article today about an L.A. homeless man who apparently has made a significant impact on the fashion scene there...

LOS ANGELES -- The newest sensation at the center of Hollywood's fashion scene isn't a famous designer or starlet. It's a 56-year-old homeless man who spends his days dancing on roller skates.

John Wesley Jermyn has been a fixture in West Los Angeles for more than 20 years. Nicknamed "The Crazy Robertson" and "The Robertson Dancer," he is a constant presence on a stretch of Robertson Boulevard that has become the city's trendiest shopping corridor and a prime strolling spot for tourists and movie stars. Among locals and online, there's much speculation about Mr. Jermyn's personal history, including one oft-repeated rumor that he's a secretive millionaire.

In a plot twist worthy of Tinseltown, Mr. Jermyn now has a clothing label named after him. Since it was introduced last month, "The Crazy Robertson" brand of T-shirts and sweatshirts, created by a trio of 23-year-olds, has flown off the shelves at Kitson, a haunt of tabloid stars like Paris Hilton. The clothes feature stylized images of Mr. Jermyn, including one design -- available on a $98 hoodie -- that has a graphic of him dancing and the phrase "No Money, No Problems" on the back. At the largest of Kitson's three boutiques on Robertson, shirts bearing Mr. Jermyn's likeness are sold alongside $290 "Victoria Beckham" jeans and $50 baby shoes designed by pop star Gwen Stefani.

The label's owners, who grew up in Beverly Hills, have created a MySpace page for Mr. Jermyn. It doubles as an ad for the clothing brand and their nightclub-promotion venture, which is also named "The Crazy Robertson." The young entrepreneurs spent months trying to forge a relationship with Mr. Jermyn -- who now goes by the name John Jermien -- before gaining his approval. They have consulted him on design decisions and had a photographer shoot him for publicity images.

In May, Mr. Jermyn agreed to a deal that entitles him to 5% of "net profit" from clothing sales, according to a copy of the contract seen by The Wall Street Journal. He signed the contract, without speaking to an attorney or family members. But so far he has refused to accept much cash, preferring to be paid in food, liquor and paper for his art projects, according to Teddy Hirsh, one of the label's founders. "He tries not to involve money in his daily life," says Mr. Hirsh, who says he is Mr. Jermyn's agent and manager for future endeavors.

Full Article

Gossip Girls: Fashion Designer

Everyone seems to be in love with CBS's new television show Gossip Girls- not only with the entertaining plot, but with the clothing and outfits prominently shown off during the show. Blog My Fashion Life had a great article about Abigail Lorick, one of the designers for Gossip Girls. Enjoy!

If you’re already a fan of the new TV hit Gossip Girl, then you’re probably just as addicted to the clothes as you are the compelling plotlines. But did you realize that the outfits “designed” by Blair’s mother, Eleanor Walfdorf, are actually created by former Ford model turned designer Abigail Lorick? Here, we get the scoop on the show, her collection, and lessons she learned on the runway…

How did your clothes get on Gossip Girl?
I’ve had a long standing relationship with the wardrobe department, and when they heard I was launching my first collection, they thought it would be a great fit for the show.

What’s it been like to have your designs on the show?
Wonderful. The press has been phenomenal and it was a true delight to see the LORICK collection on television.

How was your experience working on the set? (In case you missed it, Lorick played a beautiful blonde fashion assistant in the last episode…)
It was an enticing glimpse into the world of television entertainment. I learned so much from working with the crew, meeting the producers, and talking with the directors. Margaret Colin (who plays Eleanor Waldorf) is an extraordinary actress. I was honored to meet her and watch her work. And Leighton Meester (who plays Blair) was so much fun to be around. Rumor has it that I have more cameos to come…

On the show, Eleanor Waldorf is credited as the designer of your clothes. What do you think of her character?
Blair’s mother is one of those women whose work is so important that she has disregarded her personal life. This sort of character is ever present in this city as well as in this industry. I must say though, Margaret Colin is a lovely person and an amazing actress.

What has being a model taught you about clothes?
So much! Clothes are meant to be played with. Each article is a piece to a puzzle and there should be joy in putting them together.

What were the best and worst outfits that you wore on the runway?
A lady never tells.

What is your design philosophy?
Timeless, classic, fun.

What is your go-to outfit for a night out or a special evening?
I do have a favorite dress. It’s a gold baby doll dress with pleats around the shoulders and layers of chiffon. That and a pair of black pumps always works. Oh, and I never leave without a coat.

Favorite designers?
Miuccia Prada, Rodarte, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, and Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga.

What’s next for you?
The LORICK collection will mature and evolve alongside its fabulous ladies, from season to season.

-Via My Fashion Life

Hot Trenches for a Cold Winter

I Like Her Style blog had a great post about the ongoing trench fad this winter and some of the associated brands.

Halle Berry walks along the set of her new film, 'Perfect Stranger' with bodyguards January 30, 2006 in New York City.

Left to right: Trench Coat, $170, www.topshop.com; Houndstooth Wool Coat, $59.80, www.forever21.com; Belted Wool Trench Coat (also comes in black), $36.50, www.wetseal.com; Metallic Python Trench Coat, $39.50, www.wetseal.com

Left to right: Dolce & Gabbana Ruffled Trenchcoat, $1995, www.saks.com; Olivia Wool Trench Coat, $70.50, www.delias.com; City Style Trench Coat, $79.95, www.nyandcompany.com; Belted Trench Coat, $129, www.bebe.com

The classic trench is a wardrobe must however, why not try something new and opt for a modern take on this coat. Metallics are still making the rounds this season so if you’re brave enough buy a deep bronze or shiny gold trench. Also consider hot pink, bright white and electric blue. The contrast of a shocking, crisp color and classic shape works well. Lastly, if you want something simple and long-lasting pick tweeds in brown or grey…. way more interesting than boring black.
-Via. I Like Her Style

LA Fashion Week: Nerd Fashion is Bizzack!

We saw a lot of articles this week covering LA's Fashion Week having to do with new Nerd-inspired trends. Styledash had a pretty awesome take on the whole scene that seems to be developing...

LA Fashion Week street style is much different than, say, a New York Fashion Week's street style. In New York you would expect everyone to be impossibly thin, donning head-to-toe black, and to be very chic. In LA, the laid back style comes out to play, which often made me wonder if I was at Fashion Week or in line at nightclub Les Deux.

The eclectic style was somewhat refreshing and made people-watching that much more fun. I scanned the crowd while sipping my pomegranate cocktails to see if I could pick up on any emerging trends. One trend I picked up on was all of the man-candy rocking nerd glasses, which was so very hot.

It was clear that most of the guys sporting this trend were wearing fake glasses (how Bryant Gumbel of them), but it didn't matter because it looked really good. The frames I saw the most were black however I did see a pair of red frames that were very chic as well.

I think the best way for men to sport "nerd glasses" is to wear a very 1950s-esque suit with a slim tie. If you are good looking enough, jeans and a t-shirt will work, too.

-Via Styledash

My prediction is that people are going to have to hit up the thrift stores pretty hard to get the best of this stuff before its too late!

Fashion Rocks 2007

My Fashion Life did a great summary of this year's "Fashion Rocks"- a collaboration event combining the music and fashion industries in Westminster, London.

Fashion rocked its Prada socks off last night at the Royal Albert Hall as music met fashion for one of the most anticipated dates this year. Samuel L Jackson along with Uma Thurman played hosts as top artists from the musical arena collaborated with top runway designers. Line ups included The Gossip for Christopher Kane, Dame Shirley Bassey for Marchesa, Rosin Murphy for Gucci and Lily Allen for Chanel.

Highlights of the evening: Whitney Houston making a comeback to remember and Uma Thurman leaving hardly anything to the imagination in a see-through Valentino gown embellished with Swarovski crystals

More pictures after the jump.

Kate Moss arrived in a 1920’s cream flapper dress from her new Christmas collection for Topshop, also customised with extra trimmings from Swarovski. (The dress will be auctioned in aid of the Princes Trust)

Joss Stone opted for a clean, fuchsia figure hugging dress.

Heather Graham shone on the red carpet in a flattering strapless number.

-Via My Fashion Life

Interestingly enough, Uma Thurman's dress looks familiar to the Transparency Trend we spoke of earlier this week!

Long Dresses

Style Bytes had an interesting piece on upcoming trends in Women's Dresses today...

"While I´m not sure whether I´m getting one of those one shoulder dresses (unless I found some great 80´s dress of the sort secondhand) I do know something else I want. I´ve been collection pictures of all the long light floral dresses popping up on the runway. I usually feel a little uncomfortable in long dresses and skirts, but if it´s something more in the line of these I think it can work even for me. It doesn´t have to be floral though, not all of these are, but at least with some sort of print. And so the search for the perfect dress begins… Sometimes you just know it will take forever so it´s a good idea to start looking as soon as possible.

D&G, Michael Kors, Nicole Miller and Etro.

Blumarine, Just Cavalli, Christian Lacroix and Sue Stemp."

-Via. Style Bytes

What do you think?

Trendspotting: Rorschach Blots

If there's one great truth about fashion it's that designers will look for inspiration anywhere. A case in point is the recent batch of clothing and accessories decorated with Rorschach blots. Don't worry, the trend doesn't indicate a neo-Freudian undercurrent in consumer culture; rather, fashion designers have picked up on what is an obvious fact when you take the Rorschach blot out of the context of a psychological evaluation -- they make for totally cool patterns.I admit, I love Rorschach blots. When I was living in Milan, I bought a t-shirt with a blot that looks like a squirrel, and I can't tell you the number of times people have asked me where it was from (uh, Zara) or how I got my hands on it (uh, debit card). If you want to try out the Rorschach blot trend, here are a few items to check out:

Bernard Maisner for Tray 6 Bring on the Rain Rorschach umbrella ($110)
Junior Raglan 3/4 tee from Cafe Press $22
New Buffalo Gestalt T ($25)
H Fredriksson Baby Doll Dress in Cacao/Black

-Via. StyleDash

In the Spotlight: Roberto Cavalli at H&M

On November 8th, Roberto Cavalli is slated to release a designer line at H&M. With past headliners like Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss, Cavalli will be the first to release a line of clothing with the retailer. H&M plans to release a line of iconic menswear, 20 pieces, and womenswear, 25 pieces, including lingerie plus matching accessories - all by Cavalli.

Along with all the pizzazz that you’d expect from the Italian master, the range will be launched with an ad campaign starring a who’s who of the underground modeling world. Shot by the tragically cool Terry Richardson at Cavalli’s residence in Florence, the campaign features not one, but over 10 models including:

Theodora Richards (daughter of Keith), Erin Wasson, Julia Restoin Roitfeld (daughter of French VOGUE editor Carine), Jessica Stam, Nicolas Malleville, Sean Lennon (son of John), Jane Schmitt, Lydia Hearst, Astrid Munoz, Anouck Lepere, Ludovico Benazzo, and members of the Cavalli family.

-Via Missy Confidential

Commercial Preview

Trendspotting: Paris, Rue Saint Claude

Today's post come from a blog entitled "Stil in Berlin" which specializes in trend spotting all over cities in the US and Europe for interesting trends and styles. The following pictures are taken from their Paris photographer. Enjoy!

Karina Senyk, 30, stylist


Steve Le Mercier, 29, musician



Jannie Panourgias, 29, art student


Maroussia Rebecq, founder & art director Andrea Crews

Susanna Lau, Style Bubble


Betsy Lowther, Fashion is Spinach


Jamie Roy, Fabsugar


Lera Sorokina, F.A.D.


Adrian Corsin, Fashion is Verbatim

- Via Stil inBerlin

Transparency in Spring/Summer 2008

Did we mention Spring's biggest trend is transparency?


Lanvin, Balenciaga

Versace, McQueen

Prada, Dolce & Gabbana

-via Fashion Addict Diary

Flava Flav Wears Clocks

This may not come as a surprise to many of you readers, but here's Flava Flav sporting an oversized clock as a necklace/blingpiece. Every celeb (and indeed every commoner) should have a trademark piece to distinguish them from the crowd. That's not to say that outlandish differentiation is encouraged, vis-à-vis Flava Flav (say that ten times fast), but a little something like a conversation piece or subtle, distinctive color trim can transform something conservative into unique.

What do you do to add a mark of distinction to your ensemble? Tell us about it in the comments.